The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-20


of Mii-dera, sunset at Seta, clear day
with white caps at Awadzu, the geese
lightning at Katada, and the rain fall
ing at Karasaki at night, Karasaki is
point near Otsu, where stands the
famous pine tree said to have been
planted us long ago as the days of the
first empire, but whether or not it does
not matter-the tree without any his
tory at all is n great wonder. A gnari
ed and broken trunk rises to tie
height, l should say, of about twenty
feet and from it branches grow in ev-
cry direction, propped upon poles or
piles of cut stones, These branches,
some of them fully hundred feet long
bear fine green needle. One branch
| noticed had grown along for ten fee.
or so, and had then grown into anoth-'
err branch in such way that it would
be difficult to tell in what direction its
sap had run. 1t is upon this tree at
Karasaki when the rain falls at night
that beautiful music is said to be
produced by the drops falling from
branch to branch and then upon the
ground and the water of the lake, for
some of the branches extend good
distance over the water. Some day
l suppose crowds of tourists will come
in the rain at night to enjoy this beau
ty of Onii, and l am curious to know
what tune the good old tree will play
as it lets the water drop down upon
silk umbrellas and rubber rain-coats.
The temple of Mii.dera is upon q hill
just back of the town and commands
fine view of the lake, which seems
ever to be changing from green to blue
and back again. Here is smooth gran
lite obelisk. quito unlike anything ia
panese, which was raised to the memo
ry of the men who fell in the Satsuma
rebellion. The temporary gateway was
very pretty, being made of great
many large bamboo stocks bound to-
gcther with tarred ropes and having
the appearance of the fasces of old
Rome.
The bell is here, and has quite an in
teresting history, the oldest story of
all being the one which accounts for
the scratches visible upon its Sides
The priests Of neighboring monas-
terry stole it once and carried it to their
place in the mountains, but every time
it was struck it called out in loud tones:
Il wish to 60 home to Mii-dcrar' and
echo carried the sound everywhere, un-
til the priests, in anger, hurled the
bell down the mountain-side, when ii
received the scratches. 1t was found
by its rightful owners, and ceased at
once Its plaintive, homesick cry.
The monastery was founded in the
eighth century, but of course was de-
stroyed by fire several times, like every
thing else, but they still have intact
the room occupied by the greatest fe-
male author Of Japan during the writ
ing of her romances, "Gen-ji Monoga-
tart" and show the slate slab used by
her for holding ink. Her name, Mu-
rasaki Shikibu, is known to all readers
of Japanese history, for her book had
great influence over all people, and is
read to this day.
The greatest surprise thus far to me
was the discovery Of an electric bell
in the room at my hotel, which gave
me great pleasure, for had already
clapped my hands into blister in call
ing servants in the usual Japanese
manner The most agreeable part OF
Japanese art in interior decoration is
Its simplicity; in my room are dozen
slabs of white wood set in the upper
part of the wall above the sliding doors.
a few little holes having been cut in
them. At first / did not see any de-
sign, and looked at them only as ven
tilators, but after awhile the sky show
ing behind these holes turned them
into the white sails OF ships, and the
grain of the wood became water.
which rolled in long waves toward the
shore. Others were birds flying among
clouds l wish the people as well
would show better on longer acquaint'
anoe.